James A. Martin was the son of Felix G. Martin and was of the firm J.A. Martin & Bros in Powhatan. Born December 3, 1854. His father came to Powhatan in 1867 and began the manufacture of wagons. James A. Martin came with his parents and was educated in the county schools and also learned black-smithing and wagon-making. The firm manufactures wagons, buggies, etc and turns out about 60,000 spokes monthly besides felloes, plow beams and implement of that nature. He married Miss Ida Fortenberry, March 12, 1877, daughter of Absalom Fortenberry. They had three children Guy R., Carrie and Nina.